BFGoodrich Tires, in partnership with United Four Wheel Drive Associations and Tread Lightly! is calling for nominations for their 2011 Outstanding Trails campaign. Since its inception in 2005, the Outstanding Trails program has highlighted the best off-road trails in the USA each year and applauds the clubs that help promote the responsible use and preservation of these trails.

In 2011, BFGoodrich is looking for exceptional trails and clubs to take part in the Outstanding Trails program. Please send your club/trail nomination to trails@ufwda.org by March 15, 2011. Please include in your nomination the following:

- Name of your club and contact person details- Trail nomination information, such as - Location of the trail and whether it's a part of a larger trail system? - Why the trail should be chosen as one of the best in the USA? - What work needs to be done on the trail to keep it open and how will the BFGoodrich Outstanding Trails grant assist?

We look forward to your nominations. It's going to be a great year for Outstanding Trails - with a new twist in 2011 where a trail will be chosen by consumer vote.

Look for more information here and in UFWDA's E-News available on our website www.ufwda.org

Does our club have to be a member of UFWDA to be nominated? Also,we have six adopt a trails. Do we have to pick just one?

Ed,I've not been made aware of any specific requirement however, one might 'assume' that being a member certainly wouldn't hurt. We are afterall, trying to get the unorganized folks all pulling in the same direction as the organized ones. All to often there are way to many 'freeloading' clubs and Organizations that simply bask in the hard work and sweat of those who work to preserve access to both private and public land.

The specific requirement for nomination does not preclude multiple trails being combined together however once a trail is nominated, and if successfull in winning, you would not be able to nomniate any of those trails in the future. However, a 1 mile long trail probably would have a hard time doing battle against a trail of 10 miles.BFG, UFWDA, and Tread Lightly will take into account all the aspects of the trails including it's overall benefit the the 4 wheeling community. That's why we ask for the information we do.

Ed,There are two distinct membership paths. One being $15.00 per member which gets you access to UFWDA's insurance program. If yu put on a trail ride or other event this could save you $1000. The second path is for Organizations only which is $100. That structure is coming under review per the Delegates request from last years AGM. Discussion will ensue on the website shortly.Sorry for the delay I was in a BOD callJim

Yes,I live in Fresno and am in the FWDCF. I,ve been on the Dusy Ershim trail opening the last three years and it is by far my favorite trail. I wasn't aware it had been nominated in the past. Thank you for that. When you nominated it,did you include a write up explaining what a wonderful trail it is?

Ed,I've not been made aware of any specific requirement however, one might 'assume' that being a member certainly wouldn't hurt. We are afterall, trying to get the unorganized folks all pulling in the same direction as the organized ones. All to often there are way to many 'freeloading' clubs and Organizations that simply bask in the hard work and sweat of those who work to preserve access to both private and public land.

The specific requirement for nomination does not preclude multiple trails being combined together however once a trail is nominated, and if successfull in winning, you would not be able to nomniate any of those trails in the future. However, a 1 mile long trail probably would have a hard time doing battle against a trail of 10 miles.BFG, UFWDA, and Tread Lightly will take into account all the aspects of the trails including it's overall benefit the the 4 wheeling community. That's why we ask for the information we do.

Nomination is free.......what do you have to loose? jim-kb8ymf

I just recieved an email from you asking for our clubs UFWDA membership # so you can proceed with our nomination. The email stated that it is required. Your reply here says that it is not,yes or no?

I just received an email from you asking for our clubs UFWDA membership # so you can proceed with our nomination. The email stated that it is required. Your reply here says that it is not,yes or no?

The nomination process in and of itself is free. The club/person who nominates isn't necessarily the club who's on the receiving end of the money. We've had many nominations in the past that came from outside the club who's in line for the money. BFG wants to recognize clubs and organizations that support the national organization, UFWDA, with a program that others can not participate in. Call it another benefit that UFWDA provides it's members. If the Board didn't work hard for this and other programs like our Insurance program for clubs putting on event, many fourwheelers simply do not support those organizations who fight for access to our public lands. Just look at membership numbers in our national organizations.....pretty abysmal when compared to say just the registered member of Pirate 4X4.com. That's sad.This requirement from BFG has been here for this program for it's entire existence. However not well advertised. I will admit I was not totally aware of this specific requirement when I took it over this year.jim-kb8ymf

Our board meeting is tonight,so we will have a chance for discussion on this. I understand what you are saying about the dismal participation in organizations,I still run across a lot of people on our trails that have no idea that our club built and maintains the trails. They think the Forest Service did it.